State unemployment rate drops in November

Iowa’s unemployment rate dropped from 4.4% in October to 4.3% in November. However, Iowa Workforce Development spokesperson Kerry Koonce says the state’s nonfarm employment numbers declined for the third consecutive month.

The biggest job losses were reported in leisure and hospitality, followed by professional and business services. "Leisure and hospitality shed 1,300 jobs in November and professional and business services went down by about 1,200," Koonce said. "We also saw some losses in information and construction."

Between October and November, a few sectors of the economy in the state added jobs. "We did see a 700 job growth in trade and transportation," Koonce said. "Education and health services and government each posted a 500 (job) gain, while manufacturing posted a gain of 400."

The total number of unemployed Iowans in November stood at 72,300. While Iowa’s jobless rate dropped last month, the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 6.7% from 6.5% in October.